In a case that has sent shockwaves through the UK medical community and beyond, former NHS doctor Nathaniel Spencer, 38, of Quinton, Birmingham, has been charged with a staggering array of sexual offences allegedly committed against 38 patients under his care. The charges, which span incidents between 2017 and 2021, relate to two major hospitals in central England: Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent and Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, according to Staffordshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Spencer, who trained at the Medical University of Warsaw and qualified as a doctor in 2017 before obtaining his full UK medical licence in 2019, faces a total of 45 criminal counts. These include 15 counts of sexual assault, 17 counts of assault by penetration, nine counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, and one count of attempted assault by penetration. The CPS confirmed that the alleged offences were carried out while Spencer was employed as a resident doctor – previously known in Britain as a junior doctor – at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust from August 2017 until August 2020, and subsequently at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust from August 2020 until April 2021 (as reported by BBC and PUNCH Online).
Ben Samples, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the West Midlands CPS Complex Casework Unit and Serious Violence, Organised Crime and Exploitation Unit, commented on the gravity of the case: "We have decided to prosecute Nathaniel Spencer for a number of serious sexual offences allegedly carried out against patients while he was working as a doctor – including assault by penetration and sexual assault against a child. Our prosecutors have worked at length to support a detailed and complex investigation by Staffordshire Police, carefully reviewing the available evidence to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings."
The investigation, described by Staffordshire Police as both "complex" and "detailed," was led by the force's Public Protection Unit. The authorities have urged anyone with concerns or information related to the case to reach out via the official police investigation page or by calling the team’s voicemail at 01785 234999. Both NHS trusts involved have established dedicated helplines for patients or families who may have concerns about the care they received during Spencer's tenure.
While the full details of the allegations remain under wraps due to the ongoing legal process, the scale of the charges has prompted widespread concern among patients, staff, and the broader community. Dr. Paul Hudson, operational medical director for The Dudley Group, acknowledged the distress caused by the news, stating, "We understand that many of our patients, staff, and people in the wider community will find this news very distressing." Both The Dudley Group and the University Hospitals of North Midlands have emphasized their cooperation with the ongoing police investigation and reiterated their commitment to patient safety. As a spokesperson for University Hospitals of North Midlands told the press, "As this is an ongoing criminal process, we cannot comment further at this time, but we would like to reassure the public that the safety and well-being of our patients and their relatives are our highest priority."
The General Medical Council (GMC), which oversees the registration and fitness to practise of doctors in the UK, confirmed that Spencer has been suspended from the medical register on an interim basis since October 2025, pending the outcome of both the criminal and professional investigations. The GMC stated, "Its investigation would continue once criminal proceedings had concluded," ensuring that Spencer remains barred from practising medicine in the UK for the foreseeable future.
Spencer’s background adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding story. A devoutly Christian father-of-two, he is married to a Polish-born graphic designer, and the couple have been active in their church community. Photos shared on social media, as reported by the Daily Mail, depict Spencer being blessed by a pastor during his youngest daughter's baptism and singing on stage at their evangelical congregation, Kościół Zoe, prior to their relocation to the UK after his medical qualification.
Despite the intense public interest and media scrutiny, both the CPS and Staffordshire Police have declined to provide further details about the alleged victims, including whether multiple children were involved. This discretion is standard practice in cases involving alleged sexual offences, especially those with child victims, to protect identities and the integrity of the judicial process.
Spencer is scheduled to make his first court appearance at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on January 20, 2026, where he will be expected to enter pleas to the charges. Legal experts anticipate that the proceedings will be closely watched, not only due to the severity and scale of the allegations but also because of the broader implications for patient trust in the healthcare system. The CPS has underscored that its decision to prosecute followed a "detailed and complex investigation by Staffordshire Police," and that the case will be pursued with the utmost seriousness.
The revelations have sparked broader conversations about safeguarding and the mechanisms in place to protect patients within the NHS. While both hospitals involved have stressed their ongoing commitment to safety, the case has inevitably raised questions about how such alleged offences could have occurred over several years and across two major institutions. The NHS, one of the world’s largest publicly funded health services, relies heavily on public trust, and cases like this test the robustness of its safeguarding procedures and internal reporting systems.
For now, the focus remains on supporting the alleged victims and ensuring a fair and thorough legal process. The NHS trusts have encouraged anyone with concerns to come forward, and support services have been made available for patients, families, and staff affected by the news. As the case moves through the courts, further details are likely to emerge, but authorities have cautioned against speculation and stressed the importance of allowing justice to take its course.
As the January court date approaches, the story of Nathaniel Spencer stands as a stark reminder of the responsibilities entrusted to those in positions of care and the profound consequences when that trust is allegedly betrayed. The coming months will be crucial not only for the individuals directly involved but also for the wider medical community and the public at large, as the NHS continues its efforts to maintain safety and restore confidence in its services.
